The North East provided a backdrop of stark contrasts for Wayne Rooney, England's 17-year-old man-child.

The North East provided a backdrop of stark contrasts for Wayne Rooney, England's 17-year-old man-child.

At Sunderland he was hailed like a conquering hero on his full England debut, ripping apart fierce Turkish resistance.

However, within Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium this week Rooney was mainly anonymous and hauled off before an hour was up to be replaced by the more lively Darius Vassell.

So is Rooney a genius or an over-hyped kid?

Well, the truth of the matter is that he's a very, very special talent who we must nurture and treasure, not expose and criticise. He's a bairn, for goodness sake, with all the inconsistency that youth ensures. But with a promise that is frightening.

We're always looking for the next Gazza. It was to be Joe Cole but is much more likely to be Wayne Rooney.

Cole is beloved by the Cockney press but he's a showboater whereas Rooney (pictured) is the real deal.

The expectancy level of a public whipped up by tabloid hysteria is what threatens Rooney the most. The burden could become intolerable because there is always a backlash to adulation when people feel let down.

Gazza became a tortured soul caught in the glare of his own spotlight. We must pray the same fate doesn't await Master Rooney.